EDIT ORIAL

EDITORIAL

Maria Concepcion C. Vesagas, MD, FPCS

Editor-in-Chief

George G. Lim, MD, FPCS

Regent-in-Charge
78
Marwin Emerson V. Matic, MD, FPCS
Jose S. Pujalte Jr., MD, FPCS
Marcus Jose B. Brillantes, MD, FPCS Maria Concepcion C. Vesagas, MD, FPCS
Editorial Staff

Jemme O. Dioquito
Nelson P. Cayno
Production Staff
I n a Swedish study of muscle strength and functional capacity of men and
women aged 78-91 years, results showed a decrease in about 30% of muscle
capacity.¹ These were logical and expected. In another study, muscle strength
Incisions, the PCS newsletter, is a triannual
publication of the Philippine College of Surgeons, of male athletes aged 70-81 years were compared to that of the general
992 EDSA, Quezon City 1005, Tel. No. 928-1083. population. The strength, speed and endurance trained men had superior muscle
Comments and feedback indicating the writer's full
name, address, contact numbers and e-address are function and in fact, preserved excellent strength characteristics in relation to
welcome. Letters to the editor may be edited for their body mass.²
reasons of clarity and space. E-mail to
pcs_1936@yahoo.com.ph The Philippine College of Surgeons celebrates 78 years of existence this year.
Anyway you look at it, “78” conjures an image of an elderly, past-his-prime
Our Cover
senior, outmoded, senescent, moving slowly and simply “old”.
“The Face” by Pimbaya A. Pangilinan, MD,
3rd Place winner, 9th PCS Photo Contest On the contrary, the PCS is 78 years young.
Strength. The PCS currently has 12 chapters throughout our nation. We are
2500 plus fellows. When you think of how much brain power is present during
In This Issue our conventions, it is astounding. Add to that the resiliency that develops and
endures during surgical training and thereafter. There is no denying the force,
10 40th Midyear Convention
the presence, our profession makes in the local and international medical arena.
14 The Practice of Cosmetic
Plastic Surgery Speed. The world is ever changing and daily, new concepts are introduced to
science. These include techniques and innovations which become assimilated
16 Are You A Real Healthy Role
into the art of surgery. Individually, fellows arm themselves and keep abreast
Model Physician?
of these developments. The PCS, through its leaders, attunes itself to the
Regulars changing times and formulates policies that keep the organization relevant and
pertinent to the needs of its fellows and society.
2 EDITORIAL
Endurance. The PCS has been in continuance over three quarters of a century.
3 FROM THE PRESIDENT It is unlikely that the pioneering 34 of September 12, 1936 foresaw how much
5 ACROSS THE BOARD the College would have grown and where it would be now. Because fellows have
17 SOCIETY NEWS
• Association of Filipino
tended and nurtured the ideals that the original charter fellows envisioned, the
Philippine College of Surgeons endures. The College has not simply lingered
Neurosurgeons, Inc. but persisted, not just merely existed but flourished. It has not remained still; it
• Philippine Spine Society is ever burgeoning.
• Philippine Association of
Laparoscopic & Endoscopic If you ever get a call to serve the Philippine College of Surgeons in any way, go
Surgeons and answer it. It will be difficult to explain the vibrancy of a 78 year old
• Philippine Urological Association organization if you are a member in name only. You were not just inducted into
the College. You are a fellow because we share a profession, a passion and a
22 CHAPTER NEWS
• Southern Tagalog purpose. We are the Philippine College of Surgeons.
• Northern Mindanao
References
Special Features ¹ Danneskiold-SamsØe B, V. Kofod V, Munter J, Grimby G, P. Schnohr, Gorm J. Muscle
strength and functional capacity in 78–81-year-old men and women. European Journal of
15 The Residents’ Group of PSGS Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology. 1984 52(3):310-34
² Sipilä S, Viitasalo J, Era P, Suominen H. Muscle strength in male athletes aged 70–81 years
16 Alternative Methods of Cancer
Management (Position Paper) and a population sample. European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational
Physiology. 1991 63(3):399-403
2 INCISIONS
I would like to share with the PCS general
membership some major concerns/issues that the current
BOR has discussed or dealt with during the past few
months of the current fiscal year. Some of the issues came
out during the dialogue with the different chapters held
in conjunction with the induction ceremonies of their
respective officers, while the others cropped up during
the subsequent BOR meetings.
Academy of Medicines in the Philippines (AMP)
This is an organization under the aegis of the
Philippine Medical Association representing the different
specialty groups. The Philippine College of Surgeons is
one of the original founding members together with the
Philippine College of Physicians (PCP), Philippine
Obstetrical & Gynecological Society (POGS), Philippine
College of Radiology (PCR) Philippine Society of
Anesthesiologists (PSA), and Philippine Pediatrics
Society (PPS).
Membership to the AMP will differentiate one from
the other PMA members who are not specialists like
general practitioners and those who have not yet passed
their diplomate or specialty boards. Formation of this
organization was initiated during the incumbency of Dr.
Maximo H. Simbulan and finalized last year under the
watch of Dr. Alfred H. Belmonte. At present, Dr. Alfred
H. Belmonte is the incumbent AMP Vice President. The
PCS is well represented in the different joint committees
of the AMP by the following: Dr. Alejandro C. Dizon
(Membership), Dr. Eduardo R. Gatchalian (Certification
and Accreditation), Dr. Orlando O. Ocampo (Surgical
Training) and Dr. Napoleon B. Alcedo, Jr. (Continuing
Surgical Education). The Securities and Exchange
Commission has approved the By Laws of the AMP as
of March 4, 2014. All PCS Fellows are encouraged to
apply for membership to AMP. No application fee will
be charged.
AHMOPI
As an offshoot of my dialogue with the different
chapters of the College during the first few months of
my presidency and as agreed upon in subsequent BOR
meetings, a consensus was arrived that it would be in the
best interest of our Fellows and also in keeping with our
social responsibility to deliver the optimum surgical care
to our patients, specially the marginalized segments of
our society, to maintain and renew our MOA with
AHMOPI. The different concerns and difficulties of the
fellows in attending to their HMO patients under the
FROM
THE
PRESIDENT
Jesus V. Valencia, MD, MHPEd, FPCS
AHMOPI umbrella have been brought to the attention
of their officers and will be addressed accordingly in the
Grievance Committee. The AHMOPI executive director
mentioned that there were only more than 200 PCS
Fellows who signed individual service contract
agreements with the different HMO's under AHMOPI.
He is appealing and campaigning for more PCS Fellows
to actively participate in this MOA. The College is also
in the process of trying to forge a MOA with the Private
Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAP) to
obviate some of the problems encountered by our Fellows
in the different hospitals related to this MOA with the
AHMOPI.
Foreign and Local Surgical Missions
The issue about itinerant surgeries performed by local
and foreign surgical missions, specially those initiated by
LGU's, Mayors, Governors, etc. is another common
concern of our fellows in the different chapters. The
PCS Board has established communication with the
officers of Union of Local Administrators of the
Philippines (ULAP) to address this concern. We are in
the process of finalizing the draft of a MOA with ULAP
under the guidance of our legal counsel and will be
scheduling a meeting with the ULAP president soon for
possible signing of this MOA. The primary objective of
this MOA is to have our Fellows in the different chapters
involved earlier in these surgical missions so that
complications from itinerant surgeries can be reduced to
the minimum. The Board shall also establish open
communication lines with the appropriate agencies of
the Department of Health for a more effective
implementation of existing guidelines.
Side by side with the plan to execute a MOA with
ULAP regarding the conduct of local and foreign surgical
missions, the PCS will be coming out soon with a Policy
Statement on Surgical Missions, both local and foreign,
INCISIONS 3
that elucidates the respective roles of the PCS chapters,
the agency organization sponsoring the mission, the local
health agencies as well as the proper conduct of the
missions.
PCS By-Laws Amendments
The proposed amendments to the PCS By-Laws as
promulgated by the Constitutional Consultation held two
years ago and which was temporarily shelved last year,
is being revisited. The Committee on By-Laws and
Amendments is in the process of finalizing the draft of
the proposed amendments. It is expected that the final
draft will be presented for ratification by the general
membership in the Business Meeting during the Annual
Convention in December 2014, or if short for time, during
the Mid-year Convention in 2015.
PCS Chapter Code
Another common concern of the different chapters
that surfaced during the round of dialogues was the lack
of active participation of the Fellows in the local affairs
or activities of the chapters. Many of the chapter officers
suggested empowering them to issue certificates of good
standing to their Fellows to encourage more active
participation. Some chapters went on to make some
recommendations on what parameters to use before a
fellow is certified as a member in good standing.
The BOR reviewed the suggestions and
recommendations by the various chapters and will come
out very soon with a PCS Chapter Code. The Code
hopefully will serve as a very useful guide to the officers
of the different chapters of the College on how to conduct
their day to day activities. Of particular interest among
the articles in the code are those that deal with governance,
financial policies and of course, the definition of good
standing. Whereas before, practically the only
determinant of good standing status was payment of
The board appointed Dr. Maria Concepcion C. Vesagas to fill the position vacated by Dr. Maximo Nadala. Dr. Nadala, member of the
Board of Regents, resigned as regent due to health reasons. Dr. Vesagas, who came in 16th in the PCS elections last December, was
sworn in by PCS President Dr. Jesus Valencia on June 5, 2014 at the PCS Boardroom. She will serve as regent until December 2014. She
is flanked by some members of the Board of Regents (right photo).
4 INCISIONS
annual dues now, attendance to and active participation
in the chapter activities will now be considered. A form
of scoring or point system will be recommended in the
assessment of necessary attendance in PCS national and
chapter activities.
Revision of Fellows Assistance Plan (FAP) Brochure
The Fellows Assistance Plan (FAP) was
conceptualized by the 1979 PCS Board of Regents and
was implemented starting 1980. The objective was to
provide financial assistance to the bereaved family of a
PCS Fellow upon his/her death. The full benefit is pegged
at fifty thousand pesos (PhP50,000.00) and the traditional
source of funding is the five hundred pesos (PhP500.00)
annual contribution of every PCS Fellow member.
Actuarial studies in the past predicted that this FAP
of the College will not be sustainable in the long term,
specially if the source of funding and the other provisions
are not modified. Presented with an aging population of
its membership and therefore with a corresponding
increase in mortality, the non-sustainability of the FAP
has been accentuated in recent years.
After a thorough review and study by the Committee
on FAP and the PCS BOR, a revised FAP brochure
has been completed and approved for implementation
in the last BOR meeting effective August 15, 2014. Aside
from the minor changes in the provisions of the plan,
two important changes merit special mention:
1. Additional source of funding from PCS subsidy to
ensure sustainability 2. Inclusion of permanent total
disability aside from death as a ground of availment of
FAP benefit. The permanent total disability provision
was incorporated so that our fellows so afflicted will
have the opportunity to utilize their FAP benefit while
still alive.
 ACROSS
THE
BOARD
George G. Lim, MD, FPCS, FPSGS, FPSCRS, FPALES

Greetings to all our Fellows!

The Board of Regents met monthly in the last three months and I would like to report to the membership
the highlights of each of those. As in last issue’s report, these meetings were held in the G T Singian Board
Room and lasted on the average from 1200NN to past 600PM.

4th BOARD OF REGENTS MEETING

April 26, 2014 (Saturday)

Chapter Concerns
The President has completed all Chapter inductions. Among the concerns raised during these activities
were: PCS-AHMOPI MOA implementation problems; issues related to surgical missions and the proposed
MOA with ULAP; and empowerment of Chapters with their members.

PAPRAS
The College posed no objection to the plan of PAPRAS to create an affiliate society of cosmetic surgeons
under their Society.

Treasurer’s Report
Summary of Cash Transactions
Beginning Balance Php 102,270,487.10
Add: Receipts 1,583,843.93
TOTAL 103,618,726.71

Disbursements Php 1,364,004.90

Plus outstanding checks 49,497.62
Total Cash Flow Php 1,413,502.52
Add: Unrealized gain on investment 41,977.68
Gain on Forex Rate 23,285.23
TOTAL Cash Balance-MARCH 31, 2014 Php 102,270,487.10

PCS Building
The Board approved refurbishing some furniture and reviewing all existing Lease Contracts with tenants.

Administrative Concerns
The Board approved to discipline an employee for violations of standing office policies and instructions.

The travel insurance coverage for official trips of members of the Board of Regents was increased.

INCISIONS 5
40th PCS Midyear Convention
The Board approved the proposed scientific program, speakers, and session chairs for the 40th PCS Midyear
Convention on May 9-10, 2014 in Davao City with the theme: “Bridging Gaps and Breaking Barriers in
Surgical Oncology”.

Awards
The Committee on Awards has disseminated the Guidelines for the search for the Legends of the Knife,
Most Outstanding Chapter, Community Service, and Lifetime Achievement Awards to the different
surgical specialties, PCS Chapters, and Chairs of accredited training programs.

Surgical Research
The Committee will conduct a Course on “Critical Appraisal” on June 21, 2014; 8am-5pm at the PCS
Board Room. They will also prepare an EBCPG on Acute & Chronic Wound Care.

Surgical Training
The Board approved the distribution of the PCS’s Professionalism CD to accredited surgical training
programs of the different surgical specialties to further highlight its importance.

Quality Assurance and Patient Safety

The Board approved the adoption of the PCS-WHO Surgical Safety Checklist template including the
mechanism for regular reporting of compliance.

External Affairs & PR

The Board constituted a Sub-committee on Social-Civic Activities to study the feasibility of setting-up
an ambulatory surgical clinic at the PCS compound.

HMO & RVS

The Board approved the position of the College that PHIC should reimburse procedures with 200 RUV
and above in both Level 2 and 3 hospitals. For further public information, the Committee was also tasked
to design a poster that would explicitly state that HMO patients have the right to choose their surgeons.

5th BOARD OF REGENTS MEETING

May 31, 2014 (Saturday); 12:00 Noon

ULAP and PHAP Concerns

A meeting will be scheduled with the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) and League
of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) regarding the conduct of surgical missions. Another meeting will
be scheduled with the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines and Philippine Hospital Association
to discuss concerns regarding the implementation of the PCS-AHMOPI Memorandum of Agreement.

Chapter Empowerment
The Board is considering a suggestion from the Cebu-Eastern Visayas Chapter regarding a point system
that may help a Chapter better evaluate its members’ participation.

Academy of Medicine of the Philippines (AMP)

The AMP will issue certificates of membership to current Fellows of its specialty divisions including the
PCS. For PCS inductees this year, the AMP President will formally confer their membership during their
induction at the PCS Annual Clinical Congress.

6 INCISIONS
Foreign Trips
The PCS President and Vice-President represented the College at the Royal College of Surgeons Convention
(Singapore) and College of Surgeons, Academy of Medicine of Malaysia Convention (Kuching, Malaysia).

Resignation of Dr. Maximo B. Nadala

Regent Nadala submitted his letter of resignation from the Board citing health reasons. The Board then
appointed Dr. Maria Concepcion C. Vesagas to replace him by virtue of her having garnered the 16th
highest number of votes during last year’s election.

Management Information System

The complete list of PCS Fellows has been uploaded to the Portal of the PCS website where Fellows can
update their profiles individually. Staff training on the use of the new accounting system is on-going,
including generation of financial reports.

Treasurer’s Report
Summary of Cash Transactions
Beginning Balance Php102,270,487.10
Add: Receipts 1,475,177.32
TOTAL Php103,745,664.42

Disbursements Php 1,149,889.70

Plus: Outstanding checks 379,060.16
Total Cash Flow 1,528,949.86
Balance 102,216,714.56
Add (Loss) Unrealized gain on investment 443,863.01
Loss on Foreign Exchange Rate ( 42,346.49)
TOTAL CASH BALANCE – APRIL 30, 2014 Php102,618,231.08

Finance
The Board approved investing US$50,632.51 (previously in short term investment with BDO Dollar
Account at 5%/annum) with AXA Premium Bond Fund (Dollar) at 7.83%/annum for 3 years.

PCS Building
The Board approved the committee’s recommendation to execute a new contract of lease with Florex
Money Changer and Remittance Center (replacing Printography.com) with a rental rate of Php550 per
sq.m. (VAT exclusive).

Revised FAP Brochure

The Board approved to revise the existing FAP guidelines: the College would now transfer to the FAP
Fund every year the difference between the FAP dues collected and benefits disbursed in order to ensure
its viability (BOR Resolution 2014-01).

The Board also requested the Committee to study the feasibility of releasing the death benefit due to a
Fellow upon his/her Total Permanent Disability (as defined in the SSS Law) instead of upon his/her
death.

70th Annual Clinical Congress (ACC) – November 30-December 3, 2014

The Board approved holding the Annual Clinical Congress at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel. The scientific
program, sessions, invited speakers, and fellowship night program were likewise taken up.

INCISIONS 7
Trauma
The Board approved conducting a survey in all accredited training programs to get trauma data that will
form part of a Trauma Registry. The Committee will also draft a 3-fold informative flier/brochure of all
trauma workshops being offered by the College.

Cancer
The Board approved the committee’s proposal to formulate a position statement on Alternative non-
FDA approved Cancer Treatments. (See full text on page 16)

Surgical Training
The Board approved re-distributing the College’s CD on Professionalism to all accredited surgical training
programs and medical schools in the country.

Quality Assurance & Patient Safety

The Board approved intensifying implementation of the PCS-WHO Surgical Safety Checklist including
reporting of outcomes.

Membership
The Board approved the policy that an applicant practicing in two (2) separate areas should be endorsed
by the two Chapters concerned. Once application is approved, he/she should choose only one (1) Chapter
for his membership in the College.

By-Laws
The Board resolved to rescind its previous resolution made last June 2013 “shelving” the ratification of
amendments of the College’s By-Laws (BOR Resolution No. 2014-02) and tasked the committee to
revive and prepare a new timetable for the ratification.

6th BOARD OF REGENTS MEETING

June 28, 2014 (Saturday); 12:00 Noon

AHMOPI Concerns
The MOA with AHMOPI will expire by December 2015; the Committee on HMO will review its
provisions before renewal.

Treasurer’s Report
Summary of Transactions
Beginning Balance Php102,618,231.08
Add: Receipts 3,017,212.55
TOTAL Php105,635,443.63

Disbursements Php 1,016,188.57

Plus: Outstanding Checks 1,681,083.14
Total Cash Flow Php 2,697,271.71

BALANCE 102,938,171.92
Add: Unrealized Gain on Investment 425,407.32
Php 103,363,579.24

Less: Loss on Forex Rate Php 159,848.20

Travel Allowance 43,861.98 203,710.18
TOTAL CASH BALANCE – MAY 31, 2014 Php103,159,869.06

8 INCISIONS
Internal Audit
The Committee will draft Rules & Policies in the handling of the following: Cash and Cash Items, Property
and Equipment, Receivables/Payables, Inventories, and Income and Expenses.

Conventions
The Board approved the publication of a one-page newspaper supplement with the Philippine Star.
Preparations for the physical arrangement and Fellowship Night were finalized.

Continuing Professional Development

The scientific program and speakers for the 2014 ACC were finalized. Preparations were initiated for the
41st Midyear Convention on May 8-9, 2015 at the Taal Vista Hotel, Tagaytay City with the theme:
“Emerging Trends in Emergent Situations”. Likewise, preparations for the 2015 ACC with the theme
“Excellence in Surgical Practice” were taken up.

Surgical Research
The Board approved the list of questions for the EBCPG on Chronic Leg Wound Care.

Surgical Training
The Board approved the committee’s recommendation to adopt the Handbook on Good Surgical Practice
by the Royal College of Surgeons, which is available on the Internet. Arrangements will be made to
coordinate this with them.

The committee was tasked to initiate and formulate a National Manpower Study database for future
reference.

HMO & RVS

Specialty Societies were requested to review and comment on certain codes that were delisted by PHIC.
The College also coordinated with the PHIC on the leveling of hospitals and the procedures that will be
reimbursed. Inputs from all concerned regarding the procedures that may be safely performed in
Ambulatory Clinics were likewise forwarded to PHIC for their consideration.

Publications
The Board approved the 10th PCS Photo Contest with the theme “Local Travels”. Deadline for submission
of entries is on September 28, 2014. The Committee will also start archiving and indexing old PCS
Photos.

Chapter Code
The PCS Chapter Code was reviewed; however, implementation was deferred pending the ratification of
amendments to the PCS By-Laws.

Professional Development Code

The 2004 PCS Surgical Education Code was reviewed and renamed “PCS Professional Development
Code” in consonance with PRC’s thrust. Henceforth, the College shall adopt this terminology in its
future usage.

Fellows Assistance Plan

The Board approved that eligible Fellows who develop Total Permanent Disability as defined in the SSS
Law shall be entitled to receive the corresponding FAP benefit either at the time of disability or to keep
this for his/her family upon death.

FDA’s Ethical Standards for Health Product Promotion

The Board will schedule a meeting with a legal counsel to prepare a statement regarding the College’s
stand on certain provisions of the proposed FDA’s Ethical Standards for Health Product Promotion.

INCISIONS 9
 2014 40th PCS Midyear Convention
Marwin Emerson V. Matic, MD, FPCS
W ith the theme "Bridging Gaps and Breaking
Barriers in Surgical Oncology", there was no better
place for the 40th Midyear Convention of the
Philippine College of Surgeons (PCS) than Davao.
As Davao remains to be the center of growth in
Mindanao, it has persistently broken barriers in
traditional politics and managed to bridge the gaps
between good governance and citizen satisfaction.
Participants of the PCS Midyear Convention
willingly obliged to Davao City’s No Smoking campaign
and liquor ban at 1am programs. Davao is no stranger
in hosting PCS midyear conventions, as it played host
in 1989, 1998 and 2004.
The Northern Mindanao chapter, headed by
chapter president Dr. Alfred Tan II, welcomed the
delegates and participants on Day 0 in a local club
with a local beauty pageant of sorts and fun games.
The midyear convention, then, was held in the SMX
Convention Center Davao, located at the 3rd level of
the SM Lanang Premier in Davao City.
The PCS Midyear Convention was opened by
Councilor Marie April Dayap, the youngest councilor
in the Philippines, on behalf of Mayor Rodrigo
Northern Mindanao
T he Fellows of NM took time out to render
community service to the less privileged children from
the mountainous barangays of the town of Medina,
Misamis Oriental, a 3 ½ hours drive from Cagayan de
Oro City for the PCS Operation Tuli - 2014. Surgical
residents of Capitol University Medical Center (CUMC),
Ma.Reyna-Xavier University Hospital, nurses from
CUMC and Northern Mindanao Medical Center
provided much needed manpower. Members of the
Philippine Pediatric Society-North Central Mindanao
Chapter, Dr. Geraldine Co and Dr. Desiree Ann T. Bibera,
chapter president, willingly volunteered to do the pre-op
Pediatric Screening and handled post-op prescriptions for
antibiotics and analgesics.
10 INCISIONS
Duterte. Attended by almost a thousand surgeons,
the midyear convention had as overall chair, Dr.
Arturo Mendoza. Current management strategies for
various cancers namely esophagus, gastric, breast,
skin, head and neck and colon, were discussed. We
also saw the launching and distribution of the PCS
car sticker.
The convention culminated with a Fellowship
Night which was also held at the SMX Convention
Center where host Saicy Aguila somehow persuaded
few mesmerized surgeons to "twerk" on stage. After
which, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte graced the occasion
and lightheartedly played down calls from the
audience to run for president in 2016. The rest of the
evening was long for the mayor as it took him almost
2 hours to exit the function room due to repeated
selfies from the audience.
To say that the PCS Midyear Convention was
successful is an understatement. As a PCS fellow
managing cancer day in and day out, more than the
pomelos and durian candies, bringing home this
wealth of new knowledge in cancer treatment will
definitely benefit our patients who come to us for
treatment.
We were able to perform one hundred seventy
(170) circumcisions. This activity was made possible
through the generous support of the management of
Fresh Fruit Ingredients, Inc. Thanks to the Fellows
who gave their support -- Doctors Donald Co,
Stephen Viajar, Michael Bibera and Erika Gacus
from NMMC.
At present, the chapter is doing early discussions
and planning for its bid to host the Midyear
Convention in 2016. Dr. Dures Tagayuna, regent of
the PCS and the chapter board members are
spearheading this effort.
 The Practice of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery
Carlos I. Lasa Jr., MD, FPCS
President, Philippine Association of Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeons, Inc. (PAPRAS)
W hat is plastic surgery? Dr. Charles Thorne,
editor-in-chief of Grabb and Smith's Plastic Surgery
textbook, describes plastic surgery as "the single most
diverse specialty in the medical field, dealing with
problems from the top of the head to the tip of the
toes and with patients ranging in age from newborn
to nonagenarian. Plastic surgeons are the ultimate
specialists…unrestricted by organ system, disease
process, or patient age. Without an organ system of
its own plastic surgery is based on principles rather
than specific procedures in a defined anatomic
location… No specialty receives the attention from
the lay press that plastic surgery receives. At the same
time, no specialty is less well understood. Although
the public equates plastic surgery with cosmetic
surgery, the roots of plastic surgery lie in its
reconstructive heritage. Cosmetic surgery, an
important component of plastic surgery, is but one
piece of the plastic surgical puzzle… Plastic surgery
consists of reconstructive surgery and cosmetic
surgery but the boundary between the two, like the
boundary of plastic surgery itself, is difficult to draw.
The more one studies the specialty, the more the
distinction between cosmetic surgery and
reconstructive surgery disappears."
With the increasing popularity of cosmetic or
aesthetic surgery, patients often encounter different
terms such as "plastic surgeon", "aesthetic plastic
surgeon", "cosmetic plastic surgeon", "plastic and
reconstructive surgeon", "cosmetic surgeon" or
"aesthetic surgeon". For the knowledgeable, there is
an understanding that the use of the term "plastic"
implies that the surgeon has undergone a formal
residency training in plastic surgery, whereas the use
of the term "cosmetic" alone implies a vague training
background, which varies widely, ranging from no
formal surgical residency training to a formal training
but in a different surgical specialty. Many plastic
surgeons prefer using the word "aesthetic" over the
word "cosmetic" because of the wish to avoid the
connotations of makeup and a beauty parlor,
according to Dr. Robert Goldwyn, former editor of
the Plastic Reconstructive Surgery journal.
Patients considering cosmetic surgery often do not
know that in the Philippines, it is legal for physicians
who are NOT board-certified plastic surgeons, to
perform cosmetic surgery, due to the laxity of the
Medical Act of 1959. Once doctors get their medical
degrees and pass the government physician licensure
examination, they may practice any specialty, even
if they have not undergone residency training in the
field they have chosen. And so, a doctor who performs
cosmetic surgery is not necessarily trained as a plastic
surgeon. Currently only the major medical centers
in Metro Manila are doing the most important
function of screening surgeons and determining who
will be given operating room privileges to perform
cosmetic surgery.
Outside the major medical centers, cosmetic
surgery clinics have proliferated, many of which do
not meet the requirements of the Department of
Health for ambulatory surgery clinics, and which have
cosmetic surgery practitioners who are not properly
credentialed. In the past decade, there have been an
increasing number of cosmetic surgeons who have
misinformed the public and peddled the lie that plastic
surgeons are good only when it comes to
reconstructive surgery, but that cosmetic surgeons are
better at doing cosmetic surgery. Sadly, many of
these cosmetic surgeons are also Fellows of the PCS
practicing outside of their specialty.
The PCS leadership has expressed
solidarity with PAPRAS in maintaining the
integrity of the plastic surgery specialty
INCISIONS 11
 Many documentaries have been made and many
horror stories have been told about cosmetic surgery
that went terribly wrong, but in most cases these
procedures were done by unskilled and unqualified
physicians. Cosmetic surgery-like any surgery-carries
risks and must be treated seriously. Thus, the
Philippine Association of Plastic Reconstructive and
Aesthetic Surgeons, Inc. (PAPRAS) has embarked on
an information campaign focused on patient safety.
Patients who are well informed know better to choose
board-certified plastic surgeons. But what about
cosmetic surgery being performed by non-plastic
surgeons who are Fellows of the Philippine College
of Surgeons?
The PCS By-Laws defines a "Fellow" as a surgeon
certified by his respective Philippine specialty board
and a member of his respective specialty society
recognized by the College. Hence PCS Fellows who
are not certified by the Philippine Board of Plastic
Surgery and who are not members of PAPRAS should
not be doing cosmetic surgery as their major source
of livelihood and clinical practice, especially if the
cosmetic surgery being performed falls in any of the
following categories:
1. Cosmetic surgery in an area that does not fall
within their specialty's anatomical boundaries;
and
2. Cosmetic surgery that is not covered by their
specialty's core curriculum and residency training
program.
Concrete examples of the above are as follows:
• ENT specialists may perform rhinoplasties but
they should NOT be doing blepharoplasties, breast
augmentations, abdominoplasties and lipo-
suctions.
• Ophthalmologists may perform blepharoplasties
if they have training in oculoplastic surgery, but
they should NOT be doing rhinoplasties, breast
augmentations, abdominoplasties and liposu-
ctions.
• OB-Gynecologists may do vaginoplasties, but they
should NOT be doing facelifts, rhinoplasties,
blepharoplasties, and breast augmentations.
12 INCISIONS
What about PCS Fellows who are general
surgeons? General surgeons should NOT be doing
cosmetic surgeries, since these are not covered by the
core curriculum of general surgery and are not covered
by the residency-training program of general surgery.
The only training programs with comprehensive
coverage of cosmetic surgery for the entire body are
the plastic surgery training programs accredited by
PAPRAS. PAPRAS is the only specialty society
recognized by the Philippine College of Surgeons to
represent the field of plastic surgery.
The PCS was founded in 1936 to promote
camaraderie (among surgeons) and to promote ethical
practice of surgery in the Philippines. It has grown
over the years and currently is comprised of 11
boarded specialties and 10 non-boarded specialties.
What would happen if the Fellows of PCS disregarded
the boundaries of the established specialties and
practiced with ethical disregard of the specialties of
others? There will be no order within the PCS and
this would plunge the PCS into chaos.
The specialty of plastic surgery is probably the
most disrespected of all the surgical specialties of the
PCS, if we take into consideration the huge number
of PCS Fellows practicing cosmetic surgery outside
of their core specialty. The PAPRAS leadership has
expressed its concern about this ethical disregard. The
PCS leadership has expressed solidarity with PAPRAS
in maintaining the integrity of the plastic surgery
specialty and support for PAPRAS, and the recognition
that it is the only society that will represent the field
of plastic reconstructive and cosmetic surgery.
However, the sad reality is that the PCS and the PSGS
have no police power to prevent non-plastic-surgeon-
Fellows from performing procedures outside their
specialty. This state of affairs will continue until the
old Medical Act of 1959 is repealed. The forthcoming
ASEAN economic integration in 2015 is an opportune
moment to establish a new law regulating the practice
of cosmetic surgery in the Philippines and for the
government to license who can practice cosmetic
surgery.
 Are You A Real Healthy Role Model Physician?
Dean Cyril Y. Catot, MD, FPCS
Philippine College of Surgeons-Negros Occidental Chapter
A friend of mine intentionally skips meals to
reduce his weight but he eats junk food, which he
shares generously with me, to satisfy his hunger.
Another friend has tried from boxing to mixed martial
arts but he quit after a few sessions. Another friend
who dislikes exercise and dieting has undergone stem
cell treatment to maintain his youthfulness. One time,
I attended a usual lecture about wound healing which
became interesting but scary when the speaker talked
about some prominent physicians in the country who
had suffered from heart attack, stroke and cancer due
to unhealthy lifestyle. Nowadays, joining fun runs is
very popular that many physicians have joined it to
promote good health, but is it really beneficial when
it is not done regularly and frequently?
When I was asked to write an article for PCS, I
could not think of a better topic than about health,
not as informative and educational, but simply as a
caution out of concern, with no offense intended
because I believe everybody knows this topic very
well. As I see and observe the lifestyle and physical
fitness of many physicians including my three friends
mentioned, it seems that health is not a top priority
and is taken for granted. As physicians, we know very
well not only the value of health and its impact on
the patients' lives including their families, but also on
how to achieve and maintain it. It is actually not our
business to mind other people's lives, especially those
of highly intelligent professionals like physicians, who
definitely know what they are doing in their lives. But
no matter how intelligent and highly educated we are,
we are still human beings who can commit mistakes
and make poor choices in life. I believe that everybody
has the moral obligation to care for people especially
for their own good, friends or strangers alike. I
see page 14 >
INCISIONS 13
understand that everybody faces different levels of
stress everyday especially related to our career which
may influence our lifestyle. I also observe that
physicians have generally a common lifestyle which
is not promoting good health.
Aside from being busy with our careers, we are
also very busy to pursue and enjoy the fruits of our
labor. This is definitely all right because we deserve
the best in life except that we neglect to prioritize what
is really valuable for us. I am also aware that there are
differences in genetic make-up that may predispose
each individual to certain diseases. But even if we
have the genes for obesity and other medical diseases,
if we exercise regularly, control our diet, avoid vices
and manage our stress, good health is still possible. I
do not mean that physicians should be prohibited from
getting sick. We have the same physical body like the
general population and vulnerable to different diseases
as we are exposed to illness more than others. But the
fact that we have wealth of knowledge about health
is really advantageous and beneficial for us; useless if
we cannot practice and apply it to ourselves.
Unfortunately, it is said that physicians are the
worst patients because we are generally stubborn and
do not follow what is for our own good. It is really
hard to understand that we know what is good for us
but we do not like to work for it. If physicians can
endure and survive the long years of training especially
to become specialists through patience, determination
and hard work for a brighter future, why can we not
do the same to achieve and maintain good health? If
we work hard for our brighter future, how can we enjoy
life to the fullest if we experience pain and suffering
from different diseases?
I really believe that physicians should be
physically fit and healthy to be real role models to
promote good health, not the famous and popular
models we see in media. With us as models of health,
patients can be convinced to increase compliance to
our prescriptions. Well, we might say that it might
affect the practice of our profession, specially on the
economic aspect if we have generally healthy
population. But I really believe that the primary role
of a physician is to promote good health because
healing is beyond our control and that belongs only to
God. How many times do we get frustrated when we
lose our patients after we have given all the ideal and
best possible treatment available for them to the point
14 INCISIONS
that we question ourselves about our role as
physicians? It is said that an ounce of prevention is
worth a pound of cure. As physicians, our role in the
prevention of a disease to our patients is not only to
educate them but also to be a healthy role models to
be really effective. A classmate of mine who is a
pulmonologist is smoking in front of his patients while
he is advising them to quit smoking due to its ill
effects. I still remember my consultant who was
smoking inside the operating room covering with his
free hand the word "no" from the "no smoking" signage.
When my consultant died of lung cancer not a long
time ago, everybody quit smoking but only for a few
months. Years later, another young colleague died of
the same cancer. It is really a pity to see young
physicians pass away early at the peak of their careers
because of preventable lifestyle-related diseases.
Although good health never prevents death which can
happen anytime and anywhere unexpectedly, good
health may offer us long years to enjoy and be happy
in our life.
Erap always believed the saying that life is not
about living longer but enjoying it, for what is the
reason to live longer if we do not enjoy and are not
happy with our life anymore? I fully agree. We must
enjoy ourselves to the fullest to be happy in life since
we only live once in this world. But let us remember
the reality that there are always consequences to our
actions and whether we like it or not, tomorrow will
always come to pay for the consequences of our
actions. It is said that we are free to choose whatever
we want to do but we are not free to choose the
consequences of our actions. We should learn from
our patients who are suffering helplessly from their
terminal diseases due to unhealthy living during their
younger years. If we really love and care for our
family, we should show it by making a decision and
commitment to being physically fit and healthy now.
Although healthy lifestyle does not totally prevent
diseases to develop, the incidence to develop a disease
is still significantly lower for those who wisely choose
healthy living. When I asked an octogenarian
physician about the secret of his strong body, his
profound answer was "prayer". This did not surprise
me at all. Indeed, prayer is very powerful but it is often
effective only if we do our part as God helps those
who help themselves. Be a real healthy role model
physician!
The Residents' Group of the Philippine Society of General Surgeons
Rodel Rodriguez Israel, MD
J une 27, 2014 was a gloomy, rainy day but
despite of it, senior residents from the surgery
departments of different accredited training
hospitals trooped to the PCS building for a
scheduled meeting. Everyone was excited
regarding the meeting's agenda.
This event was the first ever election of resident
officers for the Philippine Society of General
Surgeons Metro Manila chapter. This concept
was initially planned 3 years ago. The Cebu
chapter of the PSGS was the first to have its own
residents' organization. Prior to the elections, the
residents bonded over dinner and got to know
each other. Ten residents were then nominated
from the different hospitals to fill up 5 positions.
The elections were facilitated by Dr. Napoleon
Alcedo, Jr.. Each nominee gave a speech prior to
the elections.
The following residents were elected as
“officers” Stephanie Ferrer of Capitol Medical
Center as President; Rodel Israel of Amang
Rodriguez Medical Center as Vice-President;
Jaymie Lim of The Medical City was elected as
Secretary; Dino Buenaventura of UERM
Medical Center as Auditor; Rey Puig of Tondo
General Hospital was designated as PRO.
About a month later, on August 6, 2014, the
officers attended the residents summit held at the
SMX Convention Center for the election and
induction of national officers prior to the PSGS
Surgical Forum. This was headed by the
chairman of the committee of the residents'
group, Dr. Jorge M. Concepcion, and was
accompanied by the following doctors: Napoleon
Alcedo, Jr., Erickson Berberabe, Shalimar Cortez,
and Stephen Bullo. Presidents of the chapters were
outright nominated and elected as officers, namely
President: Dr. Stephanie Ferrer of Metro Manila
Chapter; Vice-President, Dr. John Andre De Paz
of Eastern Visayas Chapter; Secretary, Dr Mark
Alvin Baluyot of Northern Luzon Chapter; and
PRO, Dr. Amabelle Yuga of Southern Tagalog
Chapter.
I am fortunate to be a part of this
organization as a mandate of our program in
surgical training and education. This will be a
network among residents that will help us identify
issues and problems unique to a surgical resident.
It will serve as a social organization where
residents can meet together and deal with topics
or concerns of a residents. This will also serve as
a training ground for future leaders or for
collaboration with other institutions to be at par
with our ASEAN neighbours.
The ultimate goal of the organization is to
strengthen surgery training in the Philippines and
address issues that concern residency training.
These include a standardized curriculum and
regularization of trainers (as overseen by the
Philippine Association of Training Officers in
Surgery), and to seek ways of how to help other
training programs to improve.
As young as it is, I hope that this will be an
organization worthy of its own existence-- with
a hope that all training programs produce quality
graduates, expert future leaders, and to continue
to strive towards achieving our goal which is to
be the best surgeons in the world.
(Editor's note: Dr. Israel is currently
a fourth year surgical resident at the
Amang Rodriguez Memorial
Medical Center. When he is not
busy with surgical training, Dr.
Israel plays a mean game of
competitive badminton.)
INCISIONS 15
Position Statement on Alternative Methods* of Cancer Management

A lternative methods of cancer management are progressively being advertised as panaceas and pose
serious safety issues to the uninformed. Realizing the need to balance patient access to all management
options while protecting the public against the risks and complications of unproven methods, the Philippine
College of Surgeons (PCS) imperatively urges extreme vigilance and awareness by the public and private
individuals, as well as more active monitoring action and accountability of governmental offices (such as the
Food and Drug Administration) and non-governmental organizations against these uncontrolled practices,
false claims, and outright misinformation.

The PCS continues to advocate scientific researches, evidence-based therapy, and peer-reviewed approaches
to determine the safety and efficacy of various strategies. The PCS does not endorse the use of the following
alternative methods, which are unproven or have been disproved yet popular cancer management methods:

1. Stem cell therapy for cancers other than those arising from the blood and bone marrow;

2. Cryotherapy for metastatic tumors;

3. Vitamin B17, a.k.a. amygdalin, for any cancer;

4. Naturopathic approaches to cancer other than the universal recommendation of the emphasis on food
from plant sources (vegetables and fruits) for cancer prevention, but not diagnosis nor treatment;

5. Vitamin and/or anti-oxidant supplementation (such as glutathione) for cancer;

6. Herbal or plant product supplements (e.g., mushroom extracts, fruit derivatives such as guyabano and
mangosteen, barley, wheat grass, acai berry, etc.);

7. Traditional medicine;

8. Local and international "cancer centers" or groups with vigorous media and patient recruitment campaigns
touting "innovative", "new", "modern", and other non-standard cancer treatments;

9. Cleansing diet, colonic irrigation, and similar enema; and

10. Chelation therapy

The PCS reiterates the call for the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health, and Professional
Regulation Commission to stop those who seek to profit from the desperation and unfamiliarity of those
suffering from cancer through stricter monitoring, stiffer penalties, more vigorous screening of false ads and
better public education.
(*Alternative methods include those that are still unproven
or have been proven to be ineffective procedures in preventing,
diagnosing or treating cancer)

16 INCISIONS
 Academy of Filipino Neurosurgeons, Inc.
T he Academy of Filipino Neurosurgeons (AFN)
participated in the PCS 40th Midyear Convention held
in Davao City from May 7 to May 9, 2014. The AFN
officers headed by Dr. Alfred Tan (President), Dr. Jose
A. Aguilar (Vice-President), Dr. Renan Acosta
(Secretary-Treasurer), together with former AFN
president Dr. Asis Encarnacion, held a consultation
meeting on May 8, 2014 with the Mindanao-based
AFN neurosurgeons at the Gustavo restaurant in SM
Davao. Among the attendees were Doctors James
Soriano, John Mata, Raymond Gagwis, Euvin Lagapa,
Ivan Natividad, Nikki del Rosario and Silvestre
Gonzales. Discussed during the meeting were the
proposed revision and amendments of the AFN
constitution by the head of the committee on
constitutional amendments, Dr. Asis Encarnacion, and
also the recent BIR requirement on the submission
of an affidavit for professional fees. In this meeting,
Dr. John Mata was elected as the regional AFN
representative for Mindanao.
In the evening of May 8, 2014, Dr. Gilbert Ranoa
gave a lecture on the "2013 Guidelines for the
Management of Acute Cervical Spinal Cord Injury"
at the Casa Taverna restaurant, Davao City. Dr.
Ranoa's lecture was well appreciated by the
neurosurgical consultants and surgical residents from
Mindanao who attended.
For the month of July, the AFN participated in 3
major scientific activities held all over the Philippines.
Last July 25 to July 27, 2014, the Department of
Neurological Surgery of Vicente Sotto Memorial
Medical Center, Cebu City in cooperation with the
AFN and Karl Storz - Endoskope Company hosted a
Academy of Filipino Neurosurgeons Meeting, 40th Midyear
Convention, May 8, 2014, Gustavo Restaurant, Davao City
Live-Operative & Hands-on Training Workshop on
Endoscopic Surgery of the Brain and Spine.
On July 26, 2014, the AFN neurosurgeons of
Northern Mindanao headed by Dr. Mitch Gonzales,
together with other medical specialties and in
coordination with the Misamis Oriental Medical
Society and the Philippine Nurses Association-Region
X conducted a workshop on Spine Disorders at the
Polymedic Medical Plaza, Kauswagan, CDO. Other
neurosurgeons from Northern Mindanao who
participated in the workshop included AFN secretary-
treasurer Dr. Renan Acosta, Dr. Donald Co, Dr. Vilma
Yacapin, and senior neurosurgery resident Dr. James
Mercado. The purpose of the activity was to address
the evaluation, diagnosis and management of spinal
disorders for general physicians and nurses. AFN
president Dr. Alfred Tan attended and delivered the
closing remarks to this highly successful workshop.
For its July 30, 2014 AFN Monthly Scientific
Meeting held at the Bonaventure Plaza, San Juan City,
former AFN president Dr. Ferdinand G. Florendo
spoke on "Neuroscience, Survival, Ethics and The
AFN".
The Academy of Filipino Neurosurgeons
Triathlon Team participated in the last Cobra Ironman
70.3 race held last August 3, 2014 in Mactan Cebu.
The AFN sent a team to the relay event. The team
consisted of Dr. Renan Acosta (swimmer), Dr.
Vladimir Hufana (biker), and Dr. Mario Marchedesh
(runner). The AFN team was awarded a finishers
medal.
Dr. Alfred Tan (center) with Dr. Wyben Briones (far right) at the
Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center
INCISIONS 17
 Philippine Spine Society
T he Philippine Spine Society (PSS) is a subspecialty
organization under the umbrella of both the Philippine
Orthopedic Association and the Philippine College of
Surgeons. Established in 1995, it was foreseen to fill the
need for an appropriate educational setting that will
maintain the highest level of professional standards in
the practice of spine surgery. Now on its nineteenth year
of existence, the organization has 65 active members
composed of both orthopedic spine surgeons and
neurosurgeons.
The primary objective of the Society is to enhance
the knowledge and skills of spine surgeons through
scientific activities by providing various fora for the
exchange of knowledge and experiences. The ultimate
beneficiaries are of course the patients. Our major
activities for 2014 are focused on continuing medical
education and research.
On July 26, 2014, the first major offering of the PSS
for the year - The Live Tissue Course on Complications
in Spine Surgery - was held at the Veterans Memorial
Medical Center, Quezon City in cooperation with the
VMMC Department of Orthopedics. This is an annual
event held by the PSS where a faculty composed of
orthopedic surgeons, a neurosurgeon, and a vascular
surgeon teach the common surgical approaches used in
spine surgery procedures and the intraoperative
complications that one may encounter during the
approach with advice on how to deal with them. The
didactics are followed by actual application of the
techniques on live anesthetized pigs, thus allowing the
participants to practice their new knowledge under the
guidance of the faculty.
The next activity is the Philippine Spine Society
18 INCISIONS
Annual Symposium on the Degenerative Lumbar Spine
and First Spine Research Forum held on August 29 and
30, 2014 at the Raffles Hotel, Makati. Faculty consisting
of both local experts and authorities on spine surgery in
the Asia-Pacific region delivered talks on the different
aspects of the basic science, diagnosis, and treatment of
degenerative disorders of the lumbar spine. Interspersed
with the lectures was an innovative format for the research
forum which highlighted the best spine researches in the
country. The presentation was done by both consultants
and residents.
To end the year, the PSS will go to Movenpick Hotel
in Mactan, Cebu for the AO Spine Advances Course on
the Management of Complex Cervical Spine Disorders
on November 24 to 25, 2014. AO Spine is an
international organization of spine surgeons and it shares
a mutual thrust with the PSS towards the advancement
of education for spine surgeons thus sealing this annual
partnership in this activity. This course brings noted AO
Spine luminaries from the region who join Filipino spine
surgeons in this educational endeavor. The presence of
excellent local and foreign faculty makes this one of the
most anticipated events in the annual calendar of activities
of the PSS. The year's activities will be closed by the PSS
General Meeting on the evening of the 25th of November.
The year 2015 will be a big one for the society as it
celebrates its 20th year. The highlight event for next year
will be the operative spine course which the PSS shall be
hosting in cooperation with the Asia Pacific Spine
Society, a subspecialty organization of the Asia-Pacific
Orthopedic Association. The PSS looks forward to 2015
with optimism and banks on the dynamism of its
membership to propel it even further in the years to come.
 PALES goes 3D: A Multispecialty Conference in Minimally Invasive Surgery
Jeffrey JP. Domino, MD

T he Philippine Association of Laparoscopic &

Endoscopic Surgeons (PALES) recently concluded its
4th Annual Clinical Congress with the theme, "PALES
goes 3D: Directions, Development and Dynamics".
It was held last July 10-12, 2014 at the Diamond
Hotel, Roxas Blvd. Manila, Philippines. The
successful conference included simultaneous multi-
specialty meetings of healthcare professionals
involved in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery.
congress. Authors and contributors of this handbook
felt like celebrities for a short while as the delegates
took autographs and photographs. This was followed
by the demonstration and launching of the 3-
dimensional video images that are used nowadays in
minimally invasive surgery. The audience inside the
ballroom where amazed by the incredible video image
that can be experienced when using this latest
technology inside the operating room.

The conference was preceded by several
educational activities, one was the MIS video editing
contest where residents and fellows from Far Eastern
University garnered first place. The winners were
accorded a slot to workshop at IRCAD, Taiwan.
Another activity during the congress was the scientific
poster contest where residents of St. Luke's Medical
Center also won first place.
The Congress featured internationally experts in
minimally invasive surgery namely, Professor Asim
Shabbir, MD, FRCS from National University
Hospital, Singapore, Prof. Alan D.L Sihoe, MD,
FHKAM, FCCP from the University of Hong Kong,
and Prof. Le Quan Anh Tuan, MD, from the
University Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh, City
Vietnam.
The Congress, held at the Diamond Ballroom, was
packed with relevant and up to date topics in teaching
and training, safety and quality assurance through
simulation, innovations in surgical endoscopy and
enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) as well as
the future of minimally invasive surgery and robotics
surgery. A simultaneous meeting was held on the other
rooms by the different specialty societies of
minimally invasive surgery. A Basic Robotics Urology
workshop was held thru the collaborative efforts
between the Philippine Urological Association and
the Philippine Endourological Society. The workshop
was attended by about 25 trainees who were
introduced to a robotics simulator, where everyone
was excited to get their hands on this training machine.
The Philippine Association of Minimally Invasive

The highlight of the opening

ceremony was the induction of
new fellows, associate members
and preceptors to the Society. The
increasing number of inductees
was a clear indication of how fast
the society is growing. It was then
followed by the inspirational talk
delivered by our keynote speaker,
Professor Emeritus Serafin C.
Hilvano, MD, one of the founders
of our Society and a true leader.
Much enthusiasm was felt when
the long awaited launching of the
Handbook of Basic Laparoscopy
was finally unveiled during the

INCISIONS 19
PALES.. from page 19
Thoracic Surgeons (PAMITS) also held a simultaneous
symposium on Single Port VATS and even conducted
a live surgery demonstration. Another specialty
society, the Philippine Society of Pediatric Surgeons,
also held their simultaneous symposium on
laparoscopy for Common Pediatric Surgical
Conditions. The gathering was described as pleasant
and fun while learning and sharing their expertise,
because seeing one another during this event, almost
seemed like a family reunion. One of the goals of
this congress was to have a comprehensive meeting;
hence a simultaneous post-convention workshop for
MIS nurses, surgical endoscopy and digestive diseases
was also held at the Philippine Center for Advanced
Surgery at Cardinal Santos Medical Center.
After the exhaustive meeting of the minds, the
delegates had a chance to unwind and enjoy the food
and wine during the Fellowship Night, held at the Sky
Lounge of Diamond Hotel. The place was filled to
capacity as delegates and guests, shared and
Philippine Urological Association
Urological
F irst and foremost we would like to thank each
and everyone in the urologic community for the time
and effort in making the last Prostate Cancer and
Men's Urological Health Month a huge success.
Special mention should go to our President Dr. Yul
Quanico and council member in charge Dr. Raffy
Agudera for their full support and bright ideas.
Special thanks as well to the PUA secretariat,
particularly Reinalyn Martin, for the invaluable time
and effort spent on this activity especially after
becoming call center agents to endless calls from
men who listened to and watch our media interviews.
A very appreciative pat in the back also for our
pharmaceutical partners for providing the much
needed logistics and manpower.
On review of the month long activity, which
was expanded to include Men's Urologic Health
Awareness, it was noted that we had a very good
quad media campaign. We had 3 media interviews
20 INCISIONS
experienced the fun and laughter of the different
society chapters' singing talents. As each chapter's
talents were called, the audience got more and more
cheers and more and more drinks. As the night ended,
most of the delegates really expressed their satisfaction
and happiness even if not all got called in the raffle,
but some would say "indeed it was fun and
entertaining".
The 4th Annual Congress concluded with about
400 plus delegates from all over the country. New
knowledge was gained in minimally invasive surgery
and new strategies were formulated in progressing
training. Even with these numerous activities, the
objective of the Congress set by the Society was
indeed achieved. A post congress workshop was also
held during the weekend. It highlighted the advances
of laparoscopic digestive surgery. With speakers from
the board of PALES and one of the foreign guest
speaker, the meeting again was very fruitful. All in
all, the congress was a great success.
in one day at the same time slots, primetime at that.
Special thanks goes to Dr. Wilfredo Tagle and Dr.
Joseph Lee for tapping their media friends for this,
as well as to pharmaceutical friends like Menarini
and Geriatrica who scheduled media interviews for
us. By the 2nd week we knew that we must have
been doing it right because by then it was the media
who started calling us up, requesting for interviews,
even at home. Pouncing on their interest in our
activity we were then able to set up a press
conference for the National PaDRE on the 14th of
June at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center.
The media exposure by itself was a huge success as
we were able to achieve our primary goal, which is,
to increase public awareness on Prostate Cancer and
Men's Urological Health.
The Facebook Poster Contest was equally
successful and provided a new and exciting facet to
the PaDRE. This brought out the artistic and
Turn to page 23
 Southern Tagalog
O n the second quarter of the year, the PCS-STC
started a fund raising activity through selling of T-
The next day, a workshop on Basic Principles of
Mesh Fixation and Sutureless Mesh was held at the
shirts with prints promoting the PCS-STC social Perpetual Help Medical Center Auditorium with Dr.
responsibility. The said activity was successful and Deogracias Reyes as speaker. This was attended by
earned ample funds that was able to support its project PCS-STC fellows.
entitled "Alay Ko Kinabukasan Mo", a project that
helped indigent students in various public schools by
providing them with school supplies which were given
prior to opening of classes.

Beneficiaries per location were 100 students each

in Binan (Laguna), Silang (Cavite) and Quezon. After
the devastation of typhoon Glenda, the PCS-STC
donated additional school supplies to schools in
Quezon where floods destroyed their school materials.

A "Fun Shooting" event was held in Jethro

Alabang on March 23, 2014 and in Camp Malvar
Shooting Range in Batangas City on May 24, 2014.
Turn to page 22
Drs. Emman Baes and Dona Ecle together with Councilor Jan
Evangelista at the Binan Elementary School.

A workshop on suturing and hand tying technique

was held last April 25, 2014 in cooperation with B
Braun. Dr. Ramon Inso assisted by Dr. Emman Baes
demonstrated to the clerks, interns and Family
Medicine residents at the UPH-DJGT-MC.

INCISIONS 21
 A "Fun Ride"(biking) was held last July 27 and
August 3, 2014 in Nuvali Sta. Rosa, participated by
fellows, their families and friends.
Drs. Emman Baes and Warren Roraldo served
as instructors during the ATLS course held at the PCS
building on July 3 and 4. Dr. Edgar Palacol, PCS
Fellow from STC passed the ATLS course.
Dr. Emman Baes (president) and Dr. Warren
Roraldo (vice president) as instructors at the ATLS
course
The PCS-STC held circumcisions during summer
at the CALABARZON and Mindoro area, namely:
Alfonso, Cavite headed by Dr. Warren Roraldo; Sta.
Cruz; Laguna headed by Dr. Edgar Palacol; Lucena,
City headed by Drs. Froilan Dacamus and Rolando
Padre; Jonelta Foundation in Perpetual headed by
Ramon Inso and Silang Health Center headed by
Emman Baes.
22 INCISIONS
The chapter also went to different provinces in
coordination with the AY Foundation headed by Nilo
Quinte as Project Manager. Places visited were
Occidental Mindoro on April 26-30, Angel Salazar
Medical Center in Antique, Aklan on May 22, 2014
(team headed by Dr. Eric De Leon) and in
Cabadbaran District Hospital in Agusan del Norte,
headed by Dr. Emman Baes on August 4 to 8, 2014.
Fellows from the chapter attended the PCS
Midyear Convention in Davao last May 9 and 10.
Drs. Emman Baes and Darvi Mag-iba participated
in the pre-convention "Amazing Race" and won
second runner up. The chapter looks forward to
hosting 2015 Midyear Convention in Tagaytay City.
The PCS-STC continues the program on Cancer
awareness by giving fliers and informing OPD patients
in various hospitals. Fellows from the chapter guested
in a local TV station to promote cancer awareness.
Shown at the Royal Cable Station was an episode
regarding Prostate Cancer and Thyroid Cancer
Awareness with Drs. Emmanuel Baes and Rex Barza.
A round table discussion on Parenteral Nutrition
was held at Contis Restaurant in Nuvali, Sta Rosa
with Dr. Jeff Inciong as speaker. Dr Napoleon Alcedo
Jr. spoke on Surgical Nutrition at Omakaze, Molito,
Alabang on July 31, 2014.
PUA.... from page 20
competitive side of the institutions. More importantly
it brought the netizens' attention to our cause. For
this the Philippine Urology Resident's Association,
led by Dr. Pipo Caringal and Dr. JM Ursua, provided
the much needed help and creativity on this. In
addition the "Prostate Cancer Awareness Month" FB
page got 2,740 likes and numerous inquiries in the 2
weeks that it was set up. Up to now the this FB page
is still attracting netizens to our cause. The following
are the top posters in terms of likes and shares:
St Lukes Medical Center: 470 likes, 4934 shares
University of Sto Tomas: 190 likes, 3035 shares
East Avenue Medical Center: 47 likes, 2634 shares
Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center: 103 likes,
1549 shares
Veterans Memorial Medical Center: 209 likes and
189 shares
Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center: 156 likes,
126 shares
University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial
Medical Center: 47 likes, 86 shares
National Kidney and Transplant Institute: 134 likes,
56 shares
Adventist Church: 66 likes 55 shares
AFP Medical Center: 124 likes 30 shares
The Takbong Urology was equally successful not
in the number of participants but in its media
exposure. We only had 130 runners but we were able
to convince channel 2 and 4 to cover the event and
make it look big and ultra successful. We are truly
thankful to DOH Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag who
came straight from the airport from a trip abroad, to
lead the warm-up exercises and start off the event.
His presence provided great media mileage for our
activity. We are now planning to stage a full national
marathon for next year as an additional highlight for
the prostate cancer and men's health awareness
month.
2,066 patient s and for last June 14, 2014 a total of
4,348 men sought consult which is more than double
from the previous year's. It would have been more
exciting if our application for a Guinness Book of
World Records entry was approved by that time. We
will however, for sure, try this again for next year.
There were of course several glitches along the
way especially in the distribution of campaign
materials. However, the 3 to 4 month preparation was
just too short for such a big activity. Though things
went out great we, have already “suggested” and which
the Executive Council has approved that planning for
next years National PaDRE should be started as early
as August or September this year. The Committee is
setting its plan on the following :
1. MOA with media institutions in the promotion
of Prostate Cancer and Men's Health Awareness
2. MOA with government and Non-government
institutions in the promotion of Prostate Cancer
and Men's Health Awareness, i.e. PNP, senior
citizen group
3. Full National Marathon
4. Seek a Presidential Decree declaring June as
"Prostate Cancer and Men's Urologic Health
Awareness Month" -
5. A Guinness Book of World Record for our activity
6. Youtube Informative Video Contest - among
institutions and urologists
7. Research - with one of the research grants to be
reserved for this

The National PaDRE was an overwhelming

success. There were 62 DRE centers and 11 Urology
Clinics that provided free consult and DRE on the
14th of June. Most centers had increased number of
patients as compared to the previous year. Some
centers had 3-4 fold increase in the number of patients
seen on that day. For 2013 we were able to check on

INCISIONS 23
24 INCISIONS